Bengaluru: In a significant development, the Karnataka government has officially transferred the seized assets of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa to the Tamil Nadu government. The handover, which began two days ago following a court order, was completed on Saturday. The assets, confiscated in connection with the disproportionate assets case against Jayalalithaa, include gold, silver, land documents, and cash.
The transferred assets comprise 27.558 kilograms of gold jewellery, 1,116 kilograms of silver, land documents spanning 1,526 acres, and ₹2.20 lakh in cash. These valuables were stored in the Karnataka Vidhana Soudha treasury and were formally handed over to Tamil Nadu officials in the presence of Karnataka authorities. A Treasure Trove of Assets The seized assets also include 11,344 silk sarees, 468 gold and diamond ornaments, 7,040 grams of other jewellery, 750 pairs of footwear, watches, and other valuables.
Additionally, the inventory features 250 shawls, 12 refrigerators, 10 television sets, eight VCRs, one video camera, four CD players, two audio decks, 24 tape recorders, 1,040 video cassettes, and five iron lockers. These items were confiscated as part of the disproportionate assets case against Jayalalithaa, who served as Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister multiple times. The case, which spanned decades, concluded with her conviction in 2014, though she was later acquitted by the Karnataka High Court in 2015.
Legal Battles Over Ownership
Jayalalithaa’s niece and nephew, J. Deepa and J. Deepak, had staked a claim over the seized assets, filing an appeal in the Karnataka High Court. While a single-judge bench initially stayed the lower court’s order, the petition was eventually dismissed, paving the way for the assets to be transferred to the Tamil Nadu government.
A Formal Handover Process
A team of Tamil Nadu police officers arrived in Bengaluru to oversee the transfer process. The assets were meticulously catalogued and handed over in the presence of officials from both states. The move marks the culmination of a long legal battle and ensures that the seized wealth is now under the custody of the Tamil Nadu government.
The Legacy of Jayalalithaa
Jayalalithaa, often referred to as “Amma” by her supporters, remains a towering figure in Tamil Nadu politics. Her legacy, however, has been marred by controversies, including the disproportionate assets case. The transfer of her seized wealth to the Tamil Nadu government closes a significant chapter in the legal saga surrounding her life and career.
As the assets are now in Tamil Nadu’s possession, questions remain about their future use. Will they be auctioned, or will they be preserved as part of the state’s historical record? For now, the focus remains on the completion of this high-profile asset transfer, which underscores the complexities of legal and political accountability in India.
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